KATHMANDU, May 29: India is open to engaging with Nepal on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect in an environment of trust and confidence to resolve the border issues, said Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said on Thursday.

India’s statement comes amid the Nepal government’s preparation to amend the constitution to update the Nepal map in the national emblem as per the revised administrative map that incorporates Kapalani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura inside Nepali border.

A constitution amendment proposal has been registered in the parliament and the government awaits for Nepali Congress’s official decision to this regard to present the bill for discussion although the main opposition party has said it has full support to the amendment.

Nepal on May 18 released its new map incorporating the encroached territories—which India also claims as its own—in response to India’s move of opening a link road to Mansarovar via Lipulekh.

India had described the Nepal move as “unilateral act” and “artificial”.

“On the recent developments in the boundary issue, we continue to monitor the situation in Nepal We note that this matter is receiving a careful concentration in Nepal,” said Srivastava.

“This is a continuous process and it requires constructive and positive efforts.”

He also said India “attaches great importance to the deep-rooted historical, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal”.

“In recent years these relations have seen an upward trajectory which is visible from expansion and diversification of our bilateral cooperation. There is also increased Indian assistance for development and connectivity projects.

“We have had a timely implementation of several large-scale and critical projects. And even in these challenging times of Covid-19 pandemic, India has ensured unimpeded trade and supply of essentials including medicines to Nepal, besides providing assistance in terms of medical supplies and other facilitation,” he said.

INTERVIEW: Indian Ambassador to Nepal his Excellency Shri Manjeev Singh Puri was interviewed at length by President of the Reporters Club and senior journalist Rishi Dhamala. Ambassador Puri is credited for having a great rapport and loved by the Nepali people as compared to his predecessor. His Excellency has completed a successful tenure and bids Nepal farewell with a lasting message in one of the most informative interviews covering the entire gamut of India Nepal relations.

INDIA-NEPAL RELATIONS UNDER AMBASSADOR PURI’S TENURE

“I am happy that you said that the relationship is good, couldn’t have used a better word than that. Few civilizations, economies, and nations share a relationship like this, and I believe it has to be good and only good for getting better”.

“In my three years, I am happy that we have created a good political environment. PM Modi visited twice, and PM Oli visited twice to India”.

“We worked toward the development and prosperity of the people in my 3 years worked with concrete steps for the people, and I am thankful to my government and the government of Nepal and its people”.

“In all sectors, we have developed, politically, twice Modi visited, Janakpur, Muktinath, BIMSTEC, and inaugurated the Dharamshala. Joint inauguration of Birgunj integrated check post. Ease of doing business, the petroleum pipeline was inaugurated. I felt really happy”.

“Petrol prices reduced as stated by the PM of Nepal, we also have started inland waterways, agriculture, Raxaul to Kathmandu railway, and these will be developed. The difference will be felt in the future, the results will have a big futuristic impact”.

“Mahakali is a game-changer. Yes it is 20 years old, discussions are going on, and concrete decisions have to be taken, but it depends on the financial transformation of both nations. 5000 MW hydropower is a big project in terms of a global scale between two nations. we have to take things forward, time will not wait, neither will technology. We are rapidly moving towards technological changes. Look at the development of solar power more than hydropower that was thought to be a big thing. We have to have concentrated efforts and will take Pancheswor forward”.

“Prosperous Nepal Happy Nepali we Indians have a vested interest in this. We want to see Nepal develop, and it will be beneficial for India and its people. That will bring in trade tourism if there are financial leaps, so there is a vested interest. We want to see Nepal progress and progress rapidly”.

“India is the only country where Nepali Exports are rising, and it is the only big nation that Nepal is working with to increase its trade. Nepal will change its balance of payment drastically. Nepal will have more earnings than India in the long run in terms of trade”.

“Nepal has grown over the years, people have started eating, dressing better, consuming better, your economy is doing well, the production is not sufficient here. The manpower is being used elsewhere to send people here. Tourism Visit Nepal 2020, India is number one bringing in tourists here.

Add cross border tourism, the open border, villages across the border, and the hotels, businesses from the border. India will be number one. Attract people from the border, look at Nepalgunj and Bhaiwarwa the 5-star hotels that have been developed, and are packed to capacity. Cross border tourism has brought in a lot of money. Cross border tourism, has rapidly developed. Kailash Mansarovar religious tour is the center point Nepalgunj. There have been more than 15000 Indian tourists going to Nepalgunj for Kailash Mansarovar. Tourists have been increasing, and this is just one area. You do not get hotels and accommodations there anymore everything is filling soon. I am happy to have contributed to Nepal’s tourism sector.

BORDER DISPUTE RESOLUTION

When asked by journalist Dhamala regarding the border dispute of Kalapani, and an incident that when former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Narendra Modi met at Soaltee Crown Plaza hotel, PM Modi said that he was keen on resolving all issues, but have to give it in writing. After that discussion, nothing went forward. What is holding things back and how will the issue go for a resolution?

“98% of the border is demarcated. Strip maps are initialized and ready. some years back, India-Nepal came into an agreement, that the borders that were demarcated on watershed principle, the origin of the river which had geographical changes due to monsoons and weather changes, so we agreed on a fixed point principle since all our borders are inherited, this is a big change that has been accepted. The leftover issues will be discussed and resolved, nation-states take things differently we are geographically and culturally aligned, and all this is out of an inheritance. We have people to people relations”.

“Kalapani Indian Army stationed there when they will move out. Let us be very clear there have been no changes, what was there before is as it is now. We have to understand that there have been no changes to the external boundaries of the map. If you want to talk, have a discussion state to state the issue will be discussed which is normal. We have an 1800 Kilometers open border, there are many contestations, but it has to be resolved through dialogue. That is why diplomats like me are here”.

“We are responsible for the future of our generations that is our responsibility. The border issues have always been there and a matter of discussion. Two states, and two governments, there are styles and self practices”.

“We have moved from the watershed principle to fixed point direction. They will get resolved. Your government has sent us a request it is under consideration. Your view is personal keep it with yourself. There are a lot of mechanisms and processes to deal with things. Our relations are old, and our interaction is measured with thought and control and keeping in mind that we have to move forward together. There is a process which is undergoing”.

 ECONOMIC RELATIONS

“Nepal and India channels have improved and are strong and this will resolve the dispute. Trade and finance are extremely complicated to involve people’s money, we have to have an expert level of dialogue. Discussions are the only way forward and diplomatically each side will keep its points, and then things will move forward”.

“Some matters are serious and I do not have an answer to a specific timeline. Nepal has sent its request and is under process, it will be known from Delhi. As we think of new India, you should think of a new Nepal, new thinking and the coming generation”.

“As an example, there was a time when the leadership in Nepal used to look at Kolkata and eastern India, after that changes and development, Delhi was the vision, then Mumbai. Today we see Nepalese are going to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. See the financial and societal changes due to globalization. How people change in taking their decisions and take things into a new perspective. Contemporary and dynamic future these have to be leveraged and converted to opportunities”.

“We share a unique relationship with Nepal. No two nations in the world have such an intricate relationship. Today there are issues. Tomorrow there may be more challenges. Look at how we are developing into a virtual world, cyber, space. There are challenges now and will come in the future too, but we have to convert them into lasting opportunities. We will move forward together”.

“There are many people have a different view regarding people. Our people to people relations are unique, we understand each other, culturally, and have deep ties with one another. It is a unique society, and political leaders and wealth creators utilize this then it will be beneficial for both nations especially for Nepal. India Nepal relations will improve, and both will have happiness”.

EPG REPORT

“EPG reports, 4 big leaders from both sides. From India Bhagat Singh Koshiyari’s current Governor of the State of Maharashtra and Nepal Ambassador to India Dr. Bekh Bahadur Thapa, both sides discussed. Our role was just to interact with them. it has nothing got to do with the embassy. Talk to the EPG people, the ambassador to India right now was one of the members maybe you can ask him. I cannot say anything on the matter it won’t be suitable for me”.

“Nepal has always been close. Especially in my tenure being from the Sikh sect, we celebrated 550 years of our founder and teacher Guru Nanak, and the government of Nepal released coins in honor. It was a mark of deep respect and I will always honor and remember that”.

KATHMANDU, Nov 7: The Government of India (GoI) has officially made a statement on the recent dispute of Kalapani and Lipulek.

Organizing a press conference at the Ministry of External Affairs spokesman for GoI Ravish Kumar has said that India has only shown land that is a part of sovereign India.

None of the maps released have been reviewed in close detail, and what is mentioned in the new map is what part of India’s sovereign land is.

Spokesman of GoI Kumar also said that they have not reviewed the new map with Nepal. “The dispute with Nepal regarding the border is being resolved through an existing mechanism and both are at work.

India firmly believes that it will resolve the issue through dialogue and consensus with its counterpart. India and Nepal need to be aware of vested interests who are trying to ruin the bilateral relations between the two Nations.

KATHMANDU, Aug 21: Former Ambassador to Denmark and the Executive Chairperson of the Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism Prof. Vijay Kant Karna spoke at length with Nepali Reporter Executive Editor Mr. Birat Krishna Thapa regarding the current state of the India-Nepal relations keeping in mind the visit of the External Affairs Minister of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Prof Karna also teaches at the Political Science Department of Tribhuvan University.

The fifth India Nepal Joint Commission is the talk of the town ongoing in Hotel Yak and Yeti in Kathmandu. This is an opportune moment for both the Nations to discuss and review bilateral relations along with a range of other issues that pose a hurdle to the cordiality of relation. Speaking from his office in Kumaripati he stated “the Nepal-India meetings at various levels should be more regular. It is an opportunity for both the nations to readjust the working mechanism, and abide by the decisions taken at all the levels, including at the PM level”

Former Ambassador Prof. Karna said that “there have been many lucrative projects which have been beneficial for both the nations. There are a lot of projects that are lagging behind, although we have seen successful project completion regarding railway from Janakpur to Jaynagar, and the Amlekhgunj pipeline, there is still more to do regarding the Postal Highway and especially hydropower projects. There as to be a specific timeline and a strong commitment needs to be made in order to complete all the projects in its stipulated time. There should be specific performance indicators in a time-bound manner, and delegates from both sides should sit for regular meetings in order to materialize all such projects.  He said “India- Nepal relations also have various problems that need to be tackled, in areas of security and keeping a check to crime. Gold smuggling has been rapid from Lhasa; the open border is a continual area of exchange of criminals. These are issues that need to be taken into consideration and both sides need to effectively overcome these hurdles through their respective administration”.

He sees the visit of Dr. Jaishankar the External Affairs of India has a sign of positivism. “It has only been just three months of his swearing-in since the Narendra Modi government took over for its second term. This shows that India prioritizes Nepal and is keen to address all the issues in order to take the bilateral relations to a greater height. As I said earlier we need to have a stronger mechanism in order to work in terms of trade there is a huge deficit, and in order to tackle this we need investment from India that would enable us to get into export, all existing issues can be discussed and solutions have to be concrete and definite that would be long-lasting. Both nations have to build trust and move forward with unity”.

The India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting is underway to holistically review the bilateral relations between the two nations.

KATHMANDU, Aug 20: Dr. Sundar Mani Dixit provided a holistic overview of Nepal-India relations on the eve of the fifth India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting to be held in Kathmandu. Talking to the journalists in Reporters Club he stated, ” We have to let go of the image of Nepal as a mere mendicant, always ready to beg, we have to be skilled at negotiating to bring all our issues forward for mutually beneficial ties”. He also stated that previous projects that were stalled can be brought to the table for mutual discussion on the matter.

However, Dr. Dixit also stressed on the importance of the outcome of the meeting to reach the common man. “There are thousands of Nepalese coming across the open borders and are constantly harassed and robbed by the Border Police, this has to stop, any decision taken at the high-level committee must make a change for the better in the life of the common man, otherwise there is no point in even having two Prime Ministers sitting down for a meeting”. He said that it is the common man that suffers the most. He has urged both the leaders of India and Nepal to find an immediate solution for the relief and respite of the recent flood victims in both the nations.

He also said that India and Nepal have long historical bilateral ties, and Prime Minister Modi who is heading a Hindu Party has a soft corner for Nepal because the majority of Nepalese are Hindu’s. He further stated that “the foreign minister should learn when to speak, and not remain silent on the issue even when the Prime Minister of Pakistan called PM Modi, ‘Hitler’. Both Pakistan and India are our friends, but it is unfortunate that we call India our closest neighbor and fail to speak in their support when they need it the most. Where is our political ethics, is this supposed to be the behavior of the current government?” he remarked.

He spoke about India’s development, as to how they were rapidly increasing in technology, space exploration, and also talked about the progress in individual life regarding the banking and telecom sector. “Every Indian today has a cell phone and a bank account irrespective of whether there may be money in it or not. India has progressed and Nepal needs to take the opportunity to use this to their favor” he stated. Talking about Dr. Jaishankar’s visit, Dr. Dixit opined “we have to make sure to receive him well, he is an experienced and thorough, we have to prove to India that we are their friends and we need mutual support for projects benefitting both. We have to extend a true hand of friendship”.

He said that Nepal no longer needed to beg, and has urged leaders to maintain the dignity of the country. Skillful negotiations are required to bring all the issues to the table that the result should benefit the common man.

Finally Dr. Dixit made a short remark regarding the health of PM Oli, he said ” the health condition of the Prime Minister who is a public figure and in the most important position should not be hidden, if anything happens to him the country will slide to instability again, it is risky, there should be a detailed bulletin regarding his health. The public has the right to know, I think there is something more to this, there are so many online ways where a patient can be monitored, why does he have to go all the way there? This is public information and should be accessible by all”.

KATHMANDU, Aug 20: Former Ambassador to India Dr. Durgesh Man Singh stressed on the importance of the current meeting of the India-Nepal joint commission. Talking at a program organized in the Reporters Club today he expressed satisfaction that this was an opportune moment for Nepal to move forward in developing various infrastructural projects that have been previously discussed.

Dr. Singh stated, “The development of India-Nepal relations is the prime agenda, previously we had load shedding for over 12 hours and now we have come to a point with constant access to electricity, this is because of the exchange of transmission lines across the border”. He said that it was crucial for Nepal to improve more such projects in order to take the country forward.

Dr. Singh said “Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s government has a clear majority and his largely supported by the people of India, he has visited Nepal four times in the past. The Integrated Check Post in Birgunj, development in hydropower, and the Amlekhganj petroleum pipeline projects have been mutually beneficial. Similarly, we also have to take advantage of the enormous opportunity that is in front of us. This meeting is extremely crucial, a good forum providing a platform to bring every issue to the table, and hence we should not miss this opportunity and put this to good use”.

Dr. Singh sees the India Nepal Joint Commission meeting as an advantageous opportunity that will enable opportunities and growth for both the Nations.